Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-04-27
PASTURES DISTRICT.

Co,stabIe-G. F. Smith,,
MIDDLE RIVER DISTRICT.
Commissioner of Roads-Christian Eakle.
Constable-N. @. Watts.
BEVERLY Manor DISTRICT.
iSuperpisor-J. w Todd
Commissioner of Roads-w. II. Bailey.
Magistrates-J. M. Lickiiter. George Harlan,
A. D. Trfbbett.
RIvERHEADs DISTRICT.
observation-disclosures M Smiley.
Commits ioner of Rodds-John ID. Lllley.
Mdgistrates-W. w. Gale, VIM. Taliaferro. W.
constable-John 8. Lightnsr.
Overseer Of the Poor-A. Blauth.
SOUTH RIVER DISTRICT.
iSxpervisor-M. W. Quarles.
Magistrates-J. W. ehurchman, NJ. L. Leon
ard, John B. Hunter.
ConstGble-A. Fl. Curd.
NORTH RIVER DISTRICT.
Saspsreisor-Wm. 81. Gamble.
Commissioner of Roads,. e. Todd.
Goode.
Ouerseer of the Poor-J. W. Fellers.
A FINE PHEToN FOR SALE.-The Subscrib-
er offers for sale superb Ph@ton made by
hand and superior in style. 1t can be seen at
Burke's livery.
CHAs. T. HAMMOND.
CITY COUNCIL IN CALLED SESSION.
THE TAx-RILL ADOPTED ON THE 10TH RECON-
sIDERgD-THE TAX ORDINANCE, EXCEPT AS
TO REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY, REMAINS
SUBSTANTIALLY AS IT WAS.
AS soon as the provisions of the tax bill pass
ed at the session Of the Council on the 10th in
slant were made known, much dissatisfaction
NH
satisfactory to many persons, and the mer-
chants license-tax seemed to be Questionable
30 the mercantile class generally. The e1-
change Of views brought about a conference for
the purpose of presenting to the Council points
objected to. and a request that the bill as pass
cd might be reconsidered and the further re-
quest that the features of the existing ordinance
in reference to merchants licenses might be re-
tanned until after legislation on that matter.
A call was issued for the assembling of the
Council on the evening of the 23rd. All the
members were present except Major Mcmahon,
who is absent from the city. President Ober-
dorfer explained the Objects OF the session,
wnen Capt. Berkeley stated that Messrs. M.
Erskine Miller. Geo. P. Baker, and Jno. W.
Todd. committee representing the conference
OF merchants, were present, and they were In
vited to make a communication to the Coun-
Gil. Mr.. Miller. OF the Committee. presented
the following communication, which was read
and considered
Whereas, The city of Staunton Is largely de-
pendent for its prosperity on the prosperity OF
Its merchants, inasmuch as the business OF the
said city is chiefly mercantile, and
Whereas, the new ordinance recently passed
prescribing city taxes Is calculated to seriously
damage the mercantile interests of Staunton
by imposing burden OF taxation upon the
merchants which in the condition Of trade
Whereas the existing State and City system
OF taxing the purchases OF merchants instead
OF their stock capital since it's first incep-
ton imposed unequal and onerous burdens of
taxes upon that class of our citizens, and
Whereas, the recent "drummers' decision"
by the Supreme Court of the U. S., has made
said burden OF State and City taxes, under the
existing system, SO much more UNEQUAL and
onerous even than formerly upon merchants
In Virginia that the Executive of the State has
already wisely recommended to the General
Assembly speedy legislation on this subject in
order to release said class of citizens and
Whereas; 1t is more than probable that the
General Assembly will enact such legislation
at an early date-the intention of said body in
that behalf having been already indicated by
the Introduction Of q bill looking to that end
during the last days of the session before its
temporary adjournment, through press of other
business prevented action thereon at the time;
and
Whereas. the system Of taxation by the city
must be based upon that by the State. there
Resoleed. LIST. That the City Council be re-
quested to repeal the recently adopted tax
ordinance for 18S7-S8 and that the general tax
ordinance of 1886 be left in force until the Gen.
eral Assembly Of the State which is to recon-
yene on tho 9th instant. shall enact as it must
DO at an early date under existing conditions
new law governing merchants license for
the State, when the tax legislation of the city
may be adjusted and made to conform to that
OF the State.
Resolved. End That the City Council be fur
liner requested to postpone the collection of the
city taxes until the General Assembly shall
Indicate whether not they will act on the
matter of merchants license.
Mr.. Tams moved the reconsideration of the
tax-bill agreed upon at the recent meeting OF
the Council, which was unanimously concurred
in.
Mr.. Cochran moved that section IL of the
ordinance Of 1886, which had been substituted
by section Of that OF the 10Th be the schedule
oftaxation in that particular, and 1t passed by
q unanimous rate. This was the proposition
1t will be observed, recommended by the Com.
mittee representing the mercantile interests
The tax on incomes. on motion of Mr.. Nc
Quaide remains as it was. S1.10 on every hun
dred dollars in excess Of six hundred.
On motion of Mr.. Bargamin, the water-tax
was restored as 1t was originally, and then the
ordinance as a whole was adopted, which is
substantially that of 1Ss6-'S7.
Ladies'. have you seen the beautiful EN-
BROIDERED ROBES. at WELLER'S.
THE HALE HOUSE-The guests of this nom